After crossing what was known as the White Valley, the Cracked Hillside, and the Farum Desert, the map indicated we were close. Weirdly, the trip had been super calm, too calm, if you asked Stella. I felt it too. I mean, how did we explain that as soon as we crossed the border, a car chased us like they knew exactly where we'd be? And now? Suddenly, it was like no one was even looking for us. Odd.

Beverly insisted we were paranoid and had to enjoy the adventure, as she called the mission. She was always the positive one. So much so that, she almost gobbled up a handful of toxic purple berries when we passed through the White Valley. Thankfully, I saw her just in time and slapped them out of her hand.

Heather, on the other hand, was very quiet. She seemed to be in her regular work mode, but I noticed her eyes lingering on every new place we arrived, filled with this adorable curiosity. She was secretly thrilled to be discovering new corners of the world, even though she'd never admit it.

The facts spoke for themselves, though. Take the time we climbed the Cracked Hillside, for example. Heather slipped and was left hanging by one hand, with a five-meter drop below her feet. Fortunately, I was nearby and grabbed her just in time. The distraction that caused her fall was none other than a hawk that flew over us, nearly brushing our heads. Heather was mesmerized by it.

I still remember when she told me why she chose to work at the border back then: "To see what lay ahead," she had said. Now, that moment for her had finally arrived.

I wished I could show her all of this under different circumstances; without fear, without hurry. Even though The Other Side was dying, it still had so much beauty to offer, especially to those who lived surrounded by walls. Because how long would this beauty last?

"Hey team, once we leave behind the Farum Desert we'll be in Phoenix territory." Stella informed.

Heather analyzed the map. "Yeah, according to this we are very close. Keep your eyes open. We should see that powerful source of energy soon." She said.

Beverly chimed in "Oh, I'm so ready for this!"

When we started to step on the brown grass, leaving the Desert behind, we soon glimpsed something in the distance.

"It's there!" Heather said.

The more we approached that place where, according to Brooke's coordinates, there was supposed to be that super-powerful energy, the more I doubted its existence. A wooden cabin, old and decrepit, stood tall at the exact point on the map. Surrounded by five tall trees. Was that what we had come to destroy? A lumberjack's cabin? The four of us stood there, frozen in place, observing.

"Don't know about you folks, but I expected at least a two-star high-tech facility, not this." Beverly said.

"Something feels off." Heather said.

Stella sighed annoyed and walked toward the door. "Well, let's see what's inside."

"Wait." I said. Stella turned to me.

"I don't like this." I said.

"We have to check it out." Stella insisted and leaned her hand on the doorknob.

"Hold on!" Heather yelled.

Stella turned once more. "What now?!"

"Look there!" Heather pointed to the roof of the cabin. A barely noticeable antenna protruded from the center.

"Okay, enough mystery," Stella said and immediately kicked the door, which broke and opened.

We all popped our heads up from the doorframe. Inside, the cabin was empty.

"There!" Heather said, pointing to the floor. There was a trapdoor. "What the hell... where does this lead?"

Just after uttering those words, a branch fell, nearly hitting me. I looked up. Eight Phoenix soldiers were perched in the trees surrounding the cabin, silently watching us like a pack of panthers stalking their prey.

"Shit!" I muttered. Bev, Stella, and Heather looked up as well.

"Form up!" Stella shouted. We gathered back-to-back, covering all sides, while the Phoenix soldiers leaped toward us.

We drew our laser guns, each of us aiming at one of the soldiers. Except Heather, who was digging through her backpack instead.

"Heather! Take your weapon!" Stella ordered.

"Cover me!" Heather shouted back.

Stella and Beverly protected each other while I covered Heather. The soldiers had weapons too, but they were different from ours; heavier, with two scopes in two different colors, one blue and the other green.

Heather pulled two smoke grenades from her backpack and without hesitation, she tossed one at the feet of the nearest soldier and handed the other to Stella, who did the same.

Smoke engulfed us. A shot rang out. I couldn't see anything but I felt Heather's hand gripped mine. She pulled me through the thick smoke, rushing to someplace I couldn't see.

"Grace, stay with me." Heather's voice came through the haze.

Another shot.

"Grace! Heather!" Beverly's voice shouted.

"Stay with me." Heather repeated.

Suddenly, ultrasonic waves shook the air, and I fell to the ground. I lost Heather's hand. The smoke cleared in seconds. One of the soldiers had activated a device on his weapon that dissolved the smoke.

"Chase them!" One of the soldiers commanded.

As my vision cleared, I saw the silhouettes of Stella and Beverly running in different directions. Two soldiers pursued them into the forest. And Heather? Where was Heather?

I looked around frantically when suddenly a blow crashed into my stomach. The stabbing pain caused me to gag. Then, I felt a gun pressed against my forehead. "Don't move." The soldier said.

"Leave her alone!" Heather's furious voice reverberated in my ears. I forced my eyes open. Heather was locked in combat with a soldier. I tried to get up, but another soldier struck me from behind, knocking me down again.

"You're not going anywhere." He said.

Shit. There was nothing I could do to help Heather.

The two soldiers who had chased Beverly and Stella reappeared from the forest.

"They escaped!" They shouted to the one pinning me down.

"Shit," the soldier said. "Well, don't worry. We have what we were looking for. Take her." He pointed at Heather.

The other two soldiers joined the fight, making it three against one.

"No!" I yelled.

Heather took a blow to her stomach and collapsed to her knees, gasping in pain. Another soldier kicked her in the back, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Heather!" I shouted.

With my cheek pressed against the cold dirt, struggling for air, I locked eyes with her. There was fire burning in her gaze. Her fierce, blazing eyes were the last thing I saw before everything went black.

Author's Note: 

Hey there, adorable person reading this! 😊

Apparently, nothing turned out as they expected... Heather didn't hesitate twice in protecting Grace. Are you guys very protective of the ones you love?

Love you all! 🥰

Ava